12 December, 2025

Top education news stories

Explore this week’s news roundup to uncover the key challenges and priorities for schools across the country.

6 min read

1. Ofsted inspections: 5 changes MATs want to see

With the new Ofsted inspections underway, CST deputy chief Steve Rollett reflects on trusts’ experiences so far and explains why many schools may be disappointed with their new gradings, writes Tes.

With inspections under Ofsted’s new framework now being rolled out nationally, leaders are beginning to discuss and compare their experiences of the new arrangements.

CST member trusts are telling us that the early weeks of Ofsted’s new framework have brought a noticeable shift in the way inspections feel on the ground. Many trusts report that the tone has improved: conversations are more constructive, and inspections appear to be carried out with a greater degree of sensitivity.

For a system that places such weight on the quality of professional dialogue, this matters. It is a positive start.

Early signals also point to some areas that “need attention”, though, to borrow a new Ofsted phrase. One important caveat needs to be placed up front: we’re talking here about feedback from a very small number of inspections.

Steve Rollett highlighted that the most striking issue is the shift from a four-point to a five-point grading scale, which means “Exceptional” really will be a judgment reserved for just a few.

The changes will also inevitably recalibrate the profile of grades nationally. Most likely, they will move the centre of the bell curve to the middle of the three grades, which looks – and feels – lower than where it sat before.

Furthermore, words like “typically” were included in the framework to ensure that inspectors apply professional judgement rather than a mechanistic test. There is work for Ofsted to do to check how well these are being used by inspectors and to provide reassurance to the system if necessary. Some questions are emerging about how well the framework will work for schools in challenging contexts.

Steve Rollet concluded that early feedback suggests Ofsted has made meaningful inroads in improving the tone of inspection, but there is more work to do to support the implementation of the new framework.

Sources: Ofsted inspections: 5 changes MATs want to see (Tes.com)

2. Plan to deliver 6,500 more teachers delayed

Government had aimed to publish its plan to fulfil its manifesto promise by the end of the year, but now says this will be released along with its White Paper, writes Tes.

The government has delayed publishing its full plan for how it will achieve its pledge to recruit 6,500 more teachers.

In September, the government told MPs on the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that it would publish its full delivery plan for the manifesto promise in December.

However, the Department for Education has now confirmed that it “plans to publish the 6.5K delivery plan alongside the Schools White Paper, in the new year”.

The delay has been criticised as “incredible” by unions, which warn that more teachers are “desperately needed”.

The delivery plan will include “the definition of the pledge, how the department will track progress over the duration of this parliament, progress to date, and the levers it will use to deliver the pledge (including how it will focus on both recruitment and retention)”.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the ASCL, said the lack of a workforce plan was “incredible”.

“The very least the government can do is explain how it is going to achieve that target, and it is pretty incredible that we’re now 18 months down the line and still don’t have sight of a delivery plan,” he said.

Source: Plan to deliver 6,500 more teachers delayed (Tes.com)

3. DfE reveals how new behaviour and attendance hubs will work

Details shared for ‘regional’ and ‘enhanced’ support pathways as part of newly merged hubs, writes Schools Week.

More details have been revealed for how the government’s behaviour and attendance hubs will work, with schools being offered either “regional” or “enhanced” support pathways.

The Department for Education is launching 90 behaviour and attendance hubs across England, with 57 already open. Former government behaviour tsar Tom Bennett and former headteacher Jayne Lowe are ambassadors of the scheme.

While 5,000 schools will receive regional support, 500 settings with “significant behaviour and attendance challenges” will receive “intensive, targeted help”.

New guidance published last week says regional support will be available for “the majority of schools that want light-touch support”.

Partner schools will have access to a “structured attendance and behaviour CPD offer” as part of this pathway, with opportunities to visit lead schools once a term during open day events.

Partner schools will also have opportunities to discuss and share effective practices with other schools in their hub, guidance states. For schools with enhanced support, eligible partner schools will receive 10 days of leadership support over three terms from their allocated lead school.

Support will involve the partner school completing an attendance and behaviour self-assessment, running surveys of pupils and staff to establish a “baseline of behaviour in school”.

Source: DfE reveals how new behaviour and attendance hubs will work (schoolsweekco.uk)

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